David Eckstein
Aubrey Huff just hit his 16th home run to reduce Kansas City's lead to 3-1 in the fourth inning. He doubled in his first at-bat.
If you were ranking the Top 3 first-half MVP's on this team, what order would you put them in? I'm going with Jim Johnson, Brian Roberts and Aubrey Huff, with George Sherrill knocking hard on the door.
If you haven't check out the Orioles' notebook that's been posted on The Sun's Web site, the club apparently has serious interest in Toronto Blue Jays shortstop David Eckstein.
He's a free agent after this season, so it wouldn't be much of an investment. My concern is his declining skills at shortstop. He's never had a great arm. Now it appears the rest of his game has fallen off, as well.
I'll throw a second question at you - hopefully with more velocity than Eckstein can muster: Is he an upgrade over the current crop of shortstops?
Meanwhile, Melvin Mora's single has delivered another run, and Adam Jones just gave the Orioles a 4-3 lead with a two-run triple.
Comments
Huff
Sherril
Johnson
A Fahey triple?!? If he keeps this up we won't need Eckstein.
Posted by: Scott | July 3, 2008 8:21 PM
NO. All we need is a good defensive shortstop at this point, which Eckstein is not. Fahey and Cintron fit the bill and Cintron will be back shortly. Don't do anything goofy like trade for Eckstein when he's just a bigger name but equal talent to what we have.
Posted by: Ryan UVA | July 3, 2008 8:29 PM
Roch - this club went through years and years of patching a leaky dam. Moves at this time need to be made with 2009, 2010 and beyond in mind.
Andy McPhail should be targeting a young SS blocked at the ML-level - such as Philly's AA SS Jason Donald (who is going to be playing in the Futures game) and make a deal for such a SS.
Let "i" stand for innovation and not idiocy.
Posted by: JR | July 3, 2008 8:42 PM
I'll go with:
Johnson (no doubt about it)
Roberts
Sherrill (competing with Johnson if he hadn't blown those 2 saves last Sunday and Monday)
Huff
Posted by: Ricky Bobby | July 3, 2008 8:44 PM
To trade for a 30+ shortstop who struggles defensively and who is on the last year of his contract seems to fly in the face of everything this season was supposed to be.
I can't say I have the slightest understanding of why this is a smart move.
Posted by: AK | July 3, 2008 8:45 PM
Fahey deserves a shot..give him 100 straight AB's as Bynum & Hernandez got...Fahey could be an Eckstein??
I dont like the idea of giving up any young player for Eckstein. When is Cintron getting back???
Posted by: JWBBZ | July 3, 2008 8:50 PM
Trying to understand why Loewen came in. Same pitcher.
Posted by: Scott | July 3, 2008 8:58 PM
Pretty discouraging outing for Adam - hopefully just a blip (or was that blip Millar picking up a cupcake ground ball?)...Garret Olson another soft outing...So the question of keeping Huff or trading him for another crop of young players?
Posted by: Gary | July 3, 2008 9:03 PM
Hand a guy a 7-3 lead and he walks the leadoff hitter - they deserved just what they got that inning.
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Exactly. A four-pitch walk. Brutal. - Roch
Posted by: Gary | July 3, 2008 9:12 PM
Why would we give up anything for a suspect shortstop when we already have three of them? If we trade at all, we should be getting youth in return, not half a season from a guy who's seen his best days already.
Posted by: Matthew | July 3, 2008 9:14 PM
Eckstein does nothing for us. Nor would Felipe Lopez or Juan Uribe. We need to suck it up for now and wait to sign a real shortstop once we're ready to contend. Disappointing pitching effort tonight. Millar didn't do us any favors with the error and Fahey screwed up breaking to cover second on a non-steal. We could have gotten out of the inning with a 7-6 lead, but next thing you know it's out of reach. What's with this Freddie Bynum thing tonight. Was he the only one that would talk to MASN? I'd rather hear about one of the grounds crew. They are more likely to be around later in the year.
Posted by: terpfan | July 3, 2008 9:35 PM
I think McPhail should go after Reid Brignac in the Ray's system.He is young,talented, and could be had now that the Ray,s have signed their 1st round pick Beckham.
Posted by: john | July 3, 2008 11:45 PM
I'd pass on Eckstein. I think his best days have passed.
Posted by: Steve M | July 4, 2008 2:09 AM
Man I really think some people are starting to get it!!! I say lets look to deal for a young ss for the future. Maybe pick up Eckstein if you move BRob in a trade. Someone hit the nail on the head "you bring in the same pitcher".If they are beatin the cover off the ball against Olson-Loewen is not the answer! Time to draw the line and decide what we want to do-I say "deal or no deal?" -Dave
Posted by: Dave | July 4, 2008 5:44 AM
Another ridiculous move by "Mr. Trembles". Millar, what can you say--took his eye off the ball. Fahey--stupid move. As I have said all year, "who is coaching these guys." One after another they fall apart just we we need it least. Eckstien--NO. I agree with the writer about McFail signing an up and comer. Can't do any worse at SS for now. What do O's SS's have this year, 1HR by Cintron? !5 RBI top end? The O's coulda-shoulda-woulda swept this series and overtaken the damned Yankees. Brutal. Mr. Manager, please stop babying your young pithers. please!
Posted by: budc | July 4, 2008 8:46 AM
I dont understand why we dont go after Felipe Lopez? He is only 28 years old, he is probably tired of playing for a horrible team in the Nationals and we can probably get him for cheap because he will be done when Zimmerman comes back and Belliard goes to 2nd.
He has proven he can hit for power, 23 home runs in 2005, and has speed, 44 steals in 2006. I think Trembley can do wonders for this guy.
I mean come on now, Hernandez, Bynum, Cintron, Fahey, Eckstein..... I dont see any upside in these guys.
Make Lopez the man for the rest of the season, and I bet his attitude changes along with his play.
Posted by: Sean | July 4, 2008 9:06 AM
Jones deserves consideration- he always seems to come up with a clutch hit!
Posted by: Mather | July 4, 2008 4:38 PM